Software Update Management on University Macs

Overview

To ensure all University managed Macs are as secure and stable as possible, Information Services manages the testing, availability and deployment of all macOS updates.

Update Delay and Testing

On University managed Macs, new macOS updates from Apple are delayed for 90 days. During this time Information Services tests the updates in various environments, ensuring they don't break common processes or work flows. 90 days after an update's initial release, it will be available to be installed on your Mac.

Update Notification, Installation and Deferral

All University managed Macs automatically check for updates once a week. If there are new updates available for your Mac, you will receive a pop-up or notification window with options for installing or deferring the update. The pop-up or notification window you see and the options you have available will change depending on the type of Mac you have.

Intel MacsShow

For users on Intel Macs, when new updates are available, a small window will pop-up in the foreground notifying you that updates are available to install.

The notification will let you know if the software updates will require you to restart your Mac. In either case, you will have the option to defer the installation for a week. If previously deferred, the update will proceed automatically.

Once the updates begin installing, a new pop-up window will appear asking you not to shut down or put your Mac to sleep.

If the update requires a restart to complete, you will receive a new pop-up window asking you to restart. If the system is not restarted within 24 hours, it will be restarted automatically. A timer will be displayed in this window letting you know how much time is remaining before it restarts automatically.

Apple Silicon MacsShow

Update Notification

For users on Apple Silicon Macs, when new updates are available, a window will pop-up notifying you that your Mac requires an update.

This notification window contains information about your Mac, the updates that are required as well as options for installing or deferring the updates.

Notification Window

The left side of the notification window lists the current version of macOS you are running, the version of macOS that is required, how many days remain before you must install the update and are unable to defer (covered below) and how many times you have deferred. Clicking the question mark icon in the upper-left corner will display more information about your Mac. Clicking the 'More Info' button will open your web browser and take you to a page with more information about the updates that are required.

The right side of the notification window has important notes about the required update. Clicking the 'Update Mac' button will launch System Preferences/System Settings and take you to the Software Update pane to begin downloading and installing the required updates. Clicking the Defer button will give you a drop down menu with a few options for deferral.

Deferral

As soon as a new update is required, you will receive an update notification. All required macOS updates must be installed by a specific date. This date is usually two weeks after you receive the first update notification, but may be shorter depending on the urgency of the update. As long as the required installation date has not passed, you may defer installing the update.

Deferring an update closes the notification window for the selected period of time. After that period of time has elapsed, the update notification window will appear again, prompting you to update or defer (if allowed).

Clicking the Defer button will open a drop down menu with a few options. These options will change depending on the time remaining before the update is required.

Later: Closes the update notification window and defers the update for 30 minutes
One Hour: Closes the update notification window and defers the update for 1 hour
One Day: Closes the update notification window and defers the update for 1 day
Custom: Allows you to select a date and time, up to the required installation date, to install the update. Closes the update notification window and defers the update until that time

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